To help everyone discover, connect with and remember the stories of those who participated in the American Revolutionary War, we have officially launched the 1776 Badge. This badge will display on memorials throughout this celebration, to honor and remember them.
What is the 1776 badge?
The 1776 badge is a special badge added to memorials of Revolutionary War participants, including soldiers, commanders and other leaders from both sides of the conflict. Thanks to a collaborative effort cross-referencing verified Revolutionary War databases at Ancestry, we have automatically added this badge to thousands of memorials for those who served. This is how the badge is displayed on a memorial. You’ll also see it in memorial search lists.
Ready to explore? You can dive into history right now:
- Search from the 1776 Homepage – Search for memorials that have the 1776 badge added.
- Search from Memorial Search –
- Broaden your search to help find memorials for those who served in the Revolutionary War.
- Under ‘More search options’ you can check the box 1776 to limit your search to memorials that already have the badge.
- Explore Virtual Cemeteries – Browse through virtual cemeteries featuring notable figures in the Revolution.
How You Can Help: Add a Badge Today
This project relies on the power of our incredible community. If you know of a Revolutionary War participant whose memorial is missing the badge, you can add it yourself in just a few quick steps!
How to add the badge:
- Navigate to the participant’s memorial
- Select Edit (or Suggest Edits)
- Scroll down to the Designations section
- Toggle on: ‘Designate this person as an American Revolutionary War participant’
- Select Save Changes
Your Contribution Matters
Every time you add a badge, you aren’t just updating a memorial, you are building a bridge. You’re making it easier for researchers, historians, and descendants to find, track, and honor their ancestral history.
Thank you for your contribution, for helping others discover stories and for ensuring that those participated in the American Revolutionary War are remembered, honored and easily found by everyone!
Happy discovering!
Thanks for adding the badge for those who served in the Revolutionary War. I have found three 4th great-grandfathers who served in the Revolutionary War. I each from North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. I am a Member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
How about creating a badge for those who served in other wars such as the War of 1812, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, etc.
Also, how about creating a badge for those who were at Jamestown, Virginia or Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Thanks for your feedback and suggestions. We’ve passed this on. This is a special badge to honor those who served during this celebration of 250 years.
The instructions don’t seem to work on the memorial I just checked. Has this change been rolled out through the entire Find A Grave collection?
This applies to a subset of memorials based on dates. If there is an example of a memorial where the option is not showing and they served in the Revolutionary War, please send the example to feedback@findagrave.com along with details.
I wish it was bigger, you really cannot see the1776 in there
Please define what you mean by Service. Please confirm that the designation is specifically for those who served in the Revolutionary War, and are Veterans of the Revolutionary War because they served. People are starting to get confused thinking it includes people who, for example, signed an Oath of Allegiance, or gave a side of bacon, etc… Please confirm that the designation is for Veterans of the Revolutionary War. I hope that is the intent of this designation.
This is a follow up to my question. Please define what is meant by “participant.” From this Find a Grave announcement: “The 1776 badge is a special badge added to memorials of Revolutionary War participants, including soldiers, commanders and other leaders from both sides of the conflict.” Is this designation for soldiers, commanders and leaders, and not for people who are considered Patriots because they supported the War, for example, by signing an oath of allegiance, or providing food or other goods? I’m hoping it is only for those who served, but as Managers, we all need to know for sure who can be included. Thank you.
Hi Anne, thanks for your question. This badge is for those who served or participated in the Revolutionary War (including soldiers, commanders, leaders). Other examples could be those who provided medical care, cooked for the army, or were otherwise involved in the conflict and substantially served.
Thank you!
The “Designation” section for the Revolutionary War badge does not appear on the memorial for John R. New #22936890, who was a fifer in the Revolutionary War. He has a Revolutionary War Pension Application and his status was confirmed by the genealogist at the New England Historic and Genealogical Society. How can this be remedied.
According to this memorial, John R. New was born in 1788. The Rev. War Pension application looks to be for his father.
If a memorial manager declines the 1776 designation, even with confirmation in the bio, will Find a Grave be willing to make the designation?
If the source wasn’t sent in a note originally, we may ask that the source be sent in another suggested edit. But if the sourced edit is declined and the reason doesn’t seem valid, then you could send it in along with your evidence and our support team will review the situation and see what can be done.
Thank you.
Should I send it to support@findagrave.com?
You can send it through our contact us form, thank you!
My original question has been satisfactorily resolved, but I didn’t see a procedure to start a new thread.
Is this designation appropriate for a loyalist that fought against the American cause?